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Dog control and animal welfare
All dogs must have a valid licence and wear identification with the name and address of their keeper, either on a tag or engraved on a collar plate. Owners must supply the identification themselves. A dog licence is valid for one year.
You do not need to license your dog if it is:
| Type of licence | Price |
|---|---|
| Single dog licence | £12.50 |
| Block dog licence | £32 |
| Concessionary rate dog licence | £5 |
If you are licensing your dog for the first time and you don’t qualify for a concession you can do this online.
You can also email dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk or call us on 028 9027 0431 to request an application form.
We can't register dogs as 'mongrels'. You can check the breed of your dog by visiting the Kennel Club website.
Any information you provide in this application is open to public scrutiny, and if requested we have a legal obligation to provide it.
Each year, around two weeks before your dog licence is due to expire we will send you a renewal reminder.
Your dog licence and microchip number will be on the top right of your reminder, and you should use these numbers when renewing your licence. If you are renewing your licence online, please make sure to enter the licence and microchip number exactly as they appear on your reminder.
You can renew a single dog licence online.
You can also renew a licence by post. You can also email dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk or call us on 028 9027 0431 to request an application form.
You can apply for a concessionary rate licence online or by post.
You can apply for a concessionary rate for your dog licence if you:
However, you may need to provide us with proof that you are eligible for this discount.
We will carry out random validation checks on your eligibility for a concessionary rate dog licence and you must provide proof on request.
| Cost | Proof | |
|---|---|---|
| Over 65 | First dog licence is free, and then £5 for each additional dog. | Photographic ID Proof of address Proof of your date of birth |
| Universal Credit State pension credit Income support Housing benefit Income-based job seeker's allowance Income-related employment and support allowance Working tax credit |
£5 per dog | Photographic ID Proof of address Proof of the benefit (as below) |
| Dog neutered or spayed | £5 per dog | Confirmation letter or email from vet |
If you are applying for a discount because you receive any of the benefits above you may need to show us proof you qualify for the reduced price.
Once we have registered you proof of age and if the dog has been spayed or neutered we will hold these on file and you will not have to produce them when renewing your licence.
If you are in receipt of any of these benefits you may need to provide proof of this each time you license your dog, as circumstances may have changed.
A block dog licence is for dog breeders or dog owners with three or more Kennel Club-registered dogs It's valid for one year.
To apply for a block dog licence, request an application form from dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk
Anyone wishing to buy a block dog licence must supply certificates of registration with the Kennel Club along with their application. We accept copies of registration documents and will return these once we issue the licence.
No concessions are available for block licences.
If your dog dies, you can apply for a refund of your licence. You must apply within 30 days of your dog's death.
You can also transfer your licence to another dog but you must do this within 30 days of your dog's death.
The fixed penalty notices for dog licensing offences are:
If you do not pay a fixed penalty notice, you could be taken to court, where you could be fined up to £1,000.
Dog wardens, Ground Floor, Cecil Ward Building, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BP
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